Comparative Genomics Guides Elucidation of Vitamin B12 Biosynthesis in Novel Human-Associated Akkermansia Strains

• Nina Kirmiz ^[2] ; Kadir Galindo ^[2] ; Karissa L. Cross ^[1] ; Estefani Luna ^[2] ; Nicholas Rhoades ^[3] ; Mircea Podar ^[1] ; Gilberto E. Flores ^[2]
  1. [1] Oak Ridge National Laboratory

     Oak Ridge National Laboratory

     Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] a Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, California, USA
  3. [3] a Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, California, USA; d Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA

  Mostrar afiliaciones +
• Localización: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, ISSN 0099-2240, Vol. 86, Nº 3, 2020
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • There is significant interest in the therapeutic and probiotic potential of the common gut bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila. However, knowledge of both the genomic and physiological diversity of this bacterial lineage is limited. Using a combination of genomic, molecular biological, and traditional microbiological approaches, we identified at least four species-level phylogroups with differing functional potentials that affect how these bacteria interact with both their human host and other members of the human gut microbiome. Specifically, we identified and isolated Akkermansia strains that were able to synthesize vitamin B12. The ability to synthesize this important cofactor broadens the physiological capabilities of human-associated Akkermansia strains, fundamentally altering our understanding of how this important bacterial lineage may affect human health.